Objective World – In Gita Verse 1.41 An increase of unwanted population certainly causes hellish life both for the family and for those who destroy the family tradition. The ancestors of such corrupt families fall down, because the performances for offering them food and water are entirely stopped.
The words of Arjuna emerge from the shadows of his unconsciousness. When imbued with self-awareness, we perceive and engage with our circumstances in an entirely different light compared to when we are lost in unconsciousness. The objective world merely reflects the state of our inner being – it mirrors our awareness and our oblivion.
We have all experienced moments when our vested interests shield us from anger. By maintaining an alertness to these interests, we steer clear of anger and centre our attention on the necessary actions of the moment.
Our lack of self-awareness blinds us to the gifts that people and circumstances bestow upon us, and in this blindness, guilt festers.
Amidst this blindness, our inner narrative maliciously persuades us that we are in the wrong, that we are inherently selfish. Such thoughts can lead us astray, sowing seeds of negativity. Unable to express our frustration towards those we perceive as stronger, we often unjustly direct it at those who seem weaker. And so, the cycle of negativity and incompletion perpetuates.
We overlook a crucial phenomenon that arises from our selfishness. When we covet what others possess, our focus inadvertently shifts from anger to our objectives. If we recognise and harness this self-interest as an alertness rather than as selfishness, we begin to see with clarity the value in others. This recognition paves the way for two pivotal transformations: the dissolution of guilt and the awakening to life’s possibilities. In this state of self-alert self-awareness, we discover tranquillity.
In our moments of mindful action, we taste liberation from the shackles of anger and guilt. This liberation shines a spotlight on the dire consequences of our self-unconsciousness. It is in self-awareness that we uncover the true riches of our existence; there is no hell more profound than the neglect of one’s inner self, and no heaven more exalted than the embrace of self-consciousness.
From our experiences, we can discern that a conscious self nurtures a sense of completion, while an unconscious self breeds irritation and discontent.
In the throes of his unconsciousness, Arjuna envisions a future where the deterioration of family honour leads to the downfall of ancestors, as their rites of sustenance are abandoned.
Arjuna seeks to be a saviour, yet he overlooks the intricate designs of the cosmic plan. Even Krishna, who sought to prevent the war, had to accept the unfolding of the universe’s will.
When our actions are borne from a place of self-alertness, we become instruments of the divine narrative. Our families then receive the universe’s blessings, rather than being labelled as corrupt. Conversely, a lapse into self-unconsciousness can cast a shadow upon our lineage.
The act of confronting the objective world with conscious intent is the crucible through which self-consciousness is refined. Those who retreat from this realm in pursuit of the subjective are often more entangled in ego than those who courageously face life’s manifold challenges.
The path towards self-consciousness is lined with challenges, and it is in accepting and engaging with these challenges that we find the keys to transcendence.
If Arjuna were to view the battlefield through the lens of self-consciousness, he would understand his role in the divine script as a warrior devoid of malice. His actions would then bless his kin. His perspective shifts the context of his actions dramatically.
Thus, Arjuna’s state of consciousness – or the lack of it – colours his interpretation of duty and consequence. In the intricate dance of life, how we perceive and act upon our roles define whether we ascend to the realm of the ancestors with honour or falter under the weight of neglected duties.
Tags: Objective World
